The Washington critic., 1887-07-09
A TRIP TO EUROPE.

There Is an old tradition to the effect
that helpless femininity is inevitably
lovable.
And Daisy was always helpless lit.
tie creature. Genevieve was only three
years her senior, yet how different
were the two Not so different In
form and features; both OF the calm,
blonde type, with soft blue eyes and q
winning smile. But Daisy had little
more gold In her hair, little more
peachiness of complexion, little more
lovely roundness of arms and neck.
Daisy, properly accoutred and over.
chaperoned, might have proven q great
beauty.
Genevieve. gazing upon her that
gracious midsummer morning with all
the fondness of an admiring elder sis,
ter, had thought of this. But some.
how as the thought came she sighed
aloud. Daisy was at the piano playing
the Spinning Song" from the "Flying
Dutchman." Without ceasing to play
she turned her beautiful head and
glanced at the elder girl.
whats the matter, We've p she
questioned, In careless tone.
Genevieves shoulders twitched i'm.
patiently.
Nothing much, and yet a great
deal can't help feeling discontented at
times. l wouldn't mind for myself. /
like teaching; like the children. I'm
going to make capital old maid after
little. But it's you / am thinking of.
That you should have to plod along
with q few dull pupils In music
drudge along day after day, when your
heart is not In II at ALL"
Their little suite was very prettily
contrived and arranged. A parlor, OF
course, for Daisy's music class. A
good plano; everything else CHEEKY,
though inexpensive; here and there
some. relic OF days when their father
was living, and they the pampered
daughters of luxury. A back parlor
and bed chamber In one; little dining
room beyond. Very modest and eco.
nomical quarters, and II Genevieye
contributed much the larger share of
the two toward the maintenance of
their little home she never appeared to
regret 1t.
Daisy wheeled about on the piano
stool. Her fair hair was gathered high,
Hebe. fashion, and her face was flushed
with the loveliest blush rose tint.
Wouldn't II be nice II they voted
the ticket to you?" she, cried, impul-
sively.
Genevieve started. She had forbid.
den herself to think of this, the benefit
that a certain wealthy man had be.
slowed upon one to be chosen by vote
from among all the teachers of that
gbeat city. A summer excursion
through Europe! She had not allowed
herself to contemplate the possibility of
such glorious fortune. No, no; some
one else among that band of faithful
workers would profit by this splendid
gift. She would just remain quietly at
home and-and care for Daisy.
Wouldn't 1t be nice p repeated the
younger sister, coaxingly.
1T never could happen" said Gen.
evieve, smiling feeble sort of protes :.
ta,ion. II am not especially popular"
But like to think of II, the other
urged. And just then they heard a
knock.
"Oh," said Daisy, CHATS Arthur
Adams, know"
Genevieve turned shade palcr and
opened the door.
"Daisy thought 1t was you," she
said, putting out her hand gravely.
The visitor laughed.
81 met the postman and he gave ME
n letter for you" he said. ''I'll talk
with Daisy while you're reading It.
1t looks like an important document. +"
One OF the old friends who had not
deserted them was Arthur Adams.
Genevieve had sometimes thought he
fancied Daisy more than in a friendly
way. But the thought gave her an un.
easiness she never paused to explain.
Why should not Arthur Adams marry
Daisy? He was not rich, but he was
comfortably well off. On the other
hand, why should he? Daisy was
very beautiful, but there were other
beautiful girls. who were not obliged
TO teach music.
Genevieve took the letter into the
adjoining room.
Arthur Adams sat down by the piano.
Don't stop playing" he said He
had one of those low, melodiops voices
that touch the heart and leave their
echo in II for years.
Genevieve swiftly re emerged from
the other room. She came toward
them, looking very pale, and spoke
i,h an unsteady voice:
"They have voted the European eX.
cursion TO me. !"
Daisy regarded her for an instant
with wide open eyes, then sprang high
into the air with wild shrek of de-
light.
II knew IL knew IT," she cried.
"Ob, We've, am so glad. so glad"
Arthur Adams had risen. His eyes
had grown moist with feeling.
This is good news" he said, in his
low, sweet voice. "This is very good
news. BY the way, did you know my
sister, Mrs. DelalieId, was going abroad
very shortly? Couldn't you manage to
go at the same timer She would like
1t. | know"
He went away presently aud Gene.
We've flung herself into rocking chair
and fell into spell Of meditation.
Daisy waited little, as If expecting to
hear something of her sisters plans,
but grew tired at length and began
again TO play her favorite "Flying
Dutchman."
Genevicve was remembering her
birthright-to care for Daisy. She was
wondering how she could go and leave
Daisy alone-if only for the two months
of the summer vacation. They could
not both 60. She could not take Daisy.
But, why not let Daisy go instead? She
could remain and teach her sister S
pupils for her.
At first the thought was merely q
dim "What should like to do" Next
II became Suppose | should do 1t I"
and then It rankled It became an ~
must do It,"
II must, must ~ How the thought
ran through her brain 1t was mad.
dening to hear Daisy play over and
over that endless Spinning Song"
Geneyieye could hardly endure 1t.